Telewest and ntl in joint bid to plug broadband

Telewest and NTL are to run a joint advertising campaign to promote broadband services and "accelerate the take-up of broadband services throughout Britain", the cablecos confirmed today.

The campaign - believed to cost around £4 million - will begin in a fortnight and run until mid September.

It's designed to highlight the benefits of broadband internet to consumers throughout the UK and Ireland.

According to the latest figures broadband access over cable is currently available in nine million homes, although this figure is expected to rise to 11.6 million homes by the end of next year.

As of May 2001, ntl had 26,300 punters; Telewest had 18,600 broadband cable customers.

Adam Singer, CEO of Telewest said the campaign was a "shot in the arm for Broadband Britain". ®